My Path to HJI: Kylie Trudeau, Commercial Lines Coordinator

Welcome to the next post in our blog series: My Path to HJI. These are stories from associates on how they got started in insurance, what led them to their role at Hausmann-Johnson Insurance, and advice for others thinking about making a start in the industry.

This week's featured associate is Kylie Trudeau. Read on to learn more about Kylie and connect with her on LinkedIn if you'd like!

What’s your role at HJI?

My current title “Commercial Lines Coordinator” will soon read “Select Property & Casualty Consultant” as I am in the process of transitioning from our large commercial department into our small commercial department. I am forever grateful for my time as a Commercial Lines Coordinator as it truly gave me a foundation to build from the bottom up.  To have had the chance to work alongside some of our Account Managers during this two year journey has been invaluable. I’m certain that I am able to navigate our content management systems and understand the sometimes tedious workflows and procedures to a fuller extent than if I were to have started in another role.  While my primary duties as a CLC are largely procedural workflows and internal communication, assisting clients with day-to-day insurance needs and seeking out projects outside of my job description are what I thrive on. I could not be more excited to move into a more independent role that will allow me to further my knowledge on insurance coverages, place new business, and develop relationships with a new book of business. 

What was your career path that led you to HJI and your current role?

After obtaining my Associate's degree, I was at crossroads in terms of what I was actually going to school for. I had originally planned to go into the medical field, but had come to find that science was not my forte. With much consideration, I decided it was in my best interest to take a semester to get a firm grasp on what undergraduate program I would pursue. I did not want to invest my time or my money in a degree for the sole sake of obtaining a Bachelor’s. I ended up taking a job with a financial institution, which eventually led me to a position with a small insurance agency in my hometown of Janesville, WI. After completing my licensing and realizing that I could get on board with the ongoing education involved with a career in insurance, I sought employment that would provide me with a larger team to work with and a larger community to serve. After much digging, I found various articles on the culture at Hausmann-Johnson Insurance and off to Madison I went. 

What do you wish you’d known when you were just starting out?

Mostly I just wish that I had met the people that work here earlier. We have so much fun together!

What inspires you to come to work every day?

Working for an organization that supports culture, creativity, and initiative is inspiring in itself, but the appreciation you receive for serving these clients who dedicate their lives to their business is pure gratification.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? How does that influence what you are doing now?

I wanted to be a flight attendant, an interior designer, a party planner, etc. Now, these are my hobbies, and I’m sure I enjoy them much more in this capacity than I would as a career!

What advice would you give someone thinking about going into insurance/starting their career?

I would tell them that they would be surprised how versatile it is. This is an industry that is not going away and is ever-changing. There are so many facets in which you can get involved and there is a niche for everyone.

Tell us a bit about yourself outside of work.

My mom, dad, sisters and brothers, along with extended family and friends, live in different cities and states so I am often times hosting guests here in Madison, or travelling to visit them. I love getting outdoors during the warmer seasons, and can be found binge watching TV series during the winter months, most recently Game of Thrones.